Why Is Everyone Talking About Esports? What Is It All About? Is This A Passing Fad?

Almudena Berzosa Peñaranda

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Almudena Berzosa Peñaranda

Performance & eSports Psychology / Market &Competitive Intelligence. Business I... See more

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• SharEveryone is taking about eSports and many people, including politicians, business leaders, educators and parents, are asking themselves what is this all about. 

To keep it short and simple, Esports (electronic sports) is competitive video gaming at a professional level with organized competitions.

Video-game competitions have been around for quite some time, to find the first official video-game competition on record we need to go back to 1972 (take that Millennials!); it happened at Stanford University, where players were invited to compete in a space combat game called Spacewar, to win a prize of a one year's subscription of Rolling Stone magazine.

In 1980, video game competitions became known to a wide audience when Atari organized the Space Invaders Championship and Walter Day created Twin Galaxies.

Competitive gaming had worked its way into popular culture in the 1980's, but it's growth really accelerated in the 1990's when the internet opened up a whole new world of possibilities.

Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) took the controls, graphics, gameplay and accessibility of video games to a new level and also boosted the growth of competitive gaming. They ran the Nintendo World Championships in 1990 and in 1994.

Some of the first esports leagues were founded in the late 1990's including the Quakecon , the Cyberathlete Professional League and the Professional Gamers League. Games like Counter-Strike, and Warcraft were already featured in those days.

But we could say that the flourishing of this industry happened in the 2000s when we saw the launch of the World Cyber Games and the Electronic Sports World Cup. These major international tournaments helped to set the tone for the kind of big competitions that would later come to define the esports world.

Many things happened in those years, but I want to underline the importance of the release of xBox live in 2002, bringing online play to consoles. Halo 2 was the first game to be broadcasted on a national TV and sponsors made competitive gaming a lucrative career choice. This was a game changer. From then, esports really took off.

The majority of the esports revenue comes from brand investments, which can be categorized as sponsorships, advertising and media rights.

The esports industry has grown at a tremendous pace, I feel it's safe to say that over the last decade it has become one of the fastest growing industries worldwide, benefiting from traction from new video game social media content, products and gaming events around the world.

Taking a look at the past few years, it is clear that esports has become a multi-billion dollar industry spanning every corner of the globe.

Recently Newzooestimated esports revenue will eclipse $1 billion in 2019. There is a growth rate of 22.3% year over year; the prediction is that revenue will reach $1.79 billion by 2022.

Can we consider this a passing trend? Absolutely not. The esports industry has passed the status of a fad and has become a serious industry with investors betting their money on this business, given the potential it holds. Hedge fund managers point to the rising popularity of esports events as an indicator of the market opportunity.

You may ask yourself "but why?", "why is this activity moving so much money?" 

The answer is simple: because of the number of people watching. 

This multi-billion dollar industry attracts not only passionate spectators (we are talking about millions of fans) but also major media outlets and even celebrities. Esports are here to stay.

Esports audiences can watch events by either visiting the arena live or online through gaming broadcasters. According to the World Economic Forum, the global esports audience reached 380 million last year, made up of 165 million dedicated esports fans and 215 million occasional viewers.

Millennials and Generation Z are the force driving this industry unlike any other.

To better illustrate this, just take a look at the top of the following table: 46 million people watched the IEM Katowice in 2017. Yes, this is not a typo: 46 million people.

There are many type of games and a variety of eSports franchises, but certain titles dominate this market (below are just some examples, please do not bombard my private inbox with complaints that your favourite game is not on the list)

League of Legends

LoL remains one of the most popular eSports games today in which teams battle to destroy the enemy's nexus. It is a multiplayer online battle arena video game developed and published by Riot Games for Microsoft Windows and macOS.  The Prize Pool of LoL in 2018 was $14.12M (Source: esports observer)

Fortnite

With more than 200m players worldwide, the chances are either you, your friends or your children or your children's friends are already playing or watching it. This online video game was developed by Epic Games and released in 2017. The Prize Pool of Fortnite in 2018 was $19.96M(Source: esports observer).

The Fortnite World Cup in 2019 will have a prize pool of $100 million. 

Defense of the Ancients 2 (DOTA 2)

This is a multiplayer online battle arena video game developed and published by Valve Corporation in 2013. 

Valve hosts an annual tournament called The International where the world's best DOTA players compete for prizes. The Prize Pool of Dota 2 in 2018 was $41.26M (Source: esports observer).

The International 2017 broke the record for the largest prize pool in eSports history at $24,787,916.

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive

CS:GOis a tactical multiplayer first-person shooter video game (part of the Counter-Strike series) developed by Hidden Path Entertainment and Valve Corporation released in 2012 for Playstation 3, Xbox 360, Microsoft Windows, and OS X and later Linux as a downloadable title.

The Prize Pool of CS:GO in 2018 was $22.47M (Source: esports observer)

Other top esports games are Call of Duty, Overwatch, Hearthstone, Starcraft or Rainbow Six. 

I do not want to forget Mobile eSports games like: Clash Royale, Honor of Kings, Arena of Valor, VainGlory, Summoners War, Mobile Legends or the new comer: Brawl Stars. 

If you are not already a fan, you are probably starting to be curious and wondering: where can I watch esports?

They can be seen online via Twitch, Mixer, Youtube or even Facebook (all for free) and as we just said, you can also attend live competitions in dedicated esports venues. 

Esports has yet to achieve popularity in the conventional entertainment industry but the phenomenon is fast approaching an inflection point where it will certainly happen. Esports tournaments continue to grow in audience and economic impact, and each year brings these competitions closer to the level of popularity and acceptance enjoyed by traditional sports. 

Observing the trends as described above, I am inclined to assume that esports is definetly not a passing fad. 

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Almudena Berzosa is a member of the Executive Team at the Swiss eSports Federation.

For more content like this, follow her on LinkedIn, Twitter @A_berzosa and on Facebook at Facebook/BuildingYourBackbone

This article was also published in the Website of the Swiss Esports Federation

People Behind The Meeples - Episode 168: Rodney Owen

Welcome to People Behind the Meeples, a series of interviews with indie game designers.  Here you'll find out more than you ever wanted to know about the people who make the best games that you may or may not have heard of before.  If you'd like to be featured, head over to http://gjjgames.blogspot.com/p/game-designer-interview-questionnaire.html and fill out the questionnaire! You can find all the interviews here: People Behind the Meeples. Support me on Patreon!

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Name:	Rodney Owen
Email:	boardgamejournal0@gmail#&46;com
Location:	Sydney, Australia
Day Job:	I'm a Counsellor by background and I'm working full time in a Suicide Prevention Program. My clients have all had a recent suicide attempt and my role is to help them stay safe and link them in with services that will aid their recovery.
Designing:	Six months to a year.
Webpage:
Blog:	https://www.bravenewboardgames.com.au/gamedesignjournal
BGG:	Rodney Owen
Twitter:	@Gamedesignjour1
Instagram:	@Boardgamejournal
Find my games at:	The Game Crafter and Robin Hood: Hero of the People on Kickstarter now!

Today's Interview is with:

Rodney Owen
Interviewed on: 1/13/2019 0:29:12

Rodney Owen is an avid gamer that only more recently has turned to game design. Last year he came in third in The Game Crafter's Solo Design Contest with his game Robin Hood: Hero of the People, which is currently seeking funding on Kickstarter. So be sure to check it out now (the campaign goes until May 23) and read on to learn more about Rodney and some of his other projects.

Some Basics
Tell me a bit about yourself.

How long have you been designing tabletop games?
Six months to a year.

Why did you start designing tabletop games?
I used to make short films and I loved the creative process. Back in 2015 I discovered The Game Crafter online. I loved the idea that I could make and sell games online and the creative process of making games was, for me, similar to making films.

What game or games are you currently working on?
I'm working on a game for that I'm bringing to Kickstarter this year called Robin Hood: Hero of the People. It's a solo adventure that came 3rd in The Game Crafter solo design contest last year. I've also created a game for this years Board Game Geek Mint Tin design contest called Mint Condition. I have also designed a game called Blind Trust where people take their turns with their eyes closed and must rely on others to make their decisions.

Have you designed any games that have been published?
None as yet but I am looking at self Publishing Robin Hood: Hero of the People myself through Kickstarter.

What is your day job?
I'm a Counsellor by background and I'm working full time in a Suicide Prevention Program. My clients have all had a recent suicide attempt and my role is to help them stay safe and link them in with services that will aid their recovery.

Your Gaming Tastes
My readers would like to know more about you as a gamer.

Do you like to have music playing while you play games? If so, what kind?
I don't really have music on. I find that if there's a lot of background noise I find it hard to hear rules explanations.

What's your favorite FLGS?
I tend to buy most of my games 2nd hand via Facebook. Otherwise I tend to go to where the game I want is.

What is your current favorite game? Least favorite that you still enjoy? Worst game you ever played?
The games I'm loving at the moment are Black Orchestra, Fury of Dracula, Love Letter and Batman Fluxx. I find Terraforming Mars a bit overrated, but I'll still play it. I really didn't enjoy Tiny Epic Quest and Auztralia.

What is your favorite game mechanic? How about your least favorite?
I like anything that makes for quick and fun card games such as hand management, drafting, bluffing and take that. I'm really enjoying worker placement games at the moment and I'm quite good at hidden movement games. I don't really like Dexterity games.

What's your favorite game that you just can't ever seem to get to the table?
Coup. My wife doesn't really enjoying the bluffing aspect and no matter how many times I've taken it to games group it's never made it to the table.

What styles of games do you play?
I like to play Board Games, Card Games

Do you design different styles of games than what you play?
I like to design Board Games, Card Games

OK, here's a pretty polarizing game. Do you like and play Cards Against Humanity?
Yes

You as a Designer
OK, now the bit that sets you apart from the typical gamer. Let's find out about you as a game designer.

When you design games, do you come up with a theme first and build the mechanics around that? Or do you come up with mechanics and then add a theme? Or something else?
I start with a goal and that goal could be anything such as make a solo game, make a game with only 18 cards, make a game that fits into a mint tin. Usually these goals are given to me by whatever contest I'm entering. I then design everything else to fit around that goal.

Have you ever entered or won a game design competition?
Several. All the games that I have developed the most have been for contests. My best result (so far) has been 3rd place in The Game Crafter solo design contest

Do you have a current favorite game designer or idol?
I've played and really enjoyed Phil Walker- Hardings games lately, particularly Barenpark. Not only is he an Aussie designer but he lives in the same city as me and doing really well overseas. I hope to meet him one day.

Where or when or how do you get your inspiration or come up with your best ideas?
Most of my inspiration comes from the contests I enter. I find that the parameters contest impose and the time frame really helps my creativity.

How do you go about playtesting your games?
Last year I discovered the local game design community who have been really great and encouraging. We sometimes hold unpub events were we playtest each others designs and I have some great friends who are willing to try out some new designs.

Do you like to work alone or as part of a team? Co-designers, artists, etc.?
I mostly design alone but I am working on one design with a mate.

What do you feel is your biggest challenge as a game designer?
Getting my games out there into the world and published. At times Australia can be quite isolated. Getting to international conventions is expensive, shipping prototypes and product is expensive and takes time.

If you could design a game within any IP, what would it be?
I would love to design a Batman or Star Wars game. I'm a big fan of both.

What do you wish someone had told you a long time ago about designing games?
Start now! I discovered The Game Crafter in 2015 but it was a couple of years later that I made my first game. I'd be further along if I started in 2015.

What advice would you like to share about designing games?
Immerse yourself in games and game design. Listen to podcasts, read books and blogs, meet other designers and most of all play games. You learn so much at a faster rate when you totally immerse yourself in the world.

Would you like to tell my readers what games you're working on and how far along they are?
Games that will soon be published are: Mint Condition, Blind Trust
This is what I have currently crowdfunding: Robin Hood: Hero of the People (Kickstarter in April)
Games that are in the early stages of development and beta testing are: Fagin, Devilish and Base Words

Are you a member of any Facebook or other design groups? (Game Maker's Lab, Card and Board Game Developers Guild, etc.)
Tabletop Game Designers Australia

And the oddly personal, but harmless stuff…
OK, enough of the game stuff, let's find out what really makes you tick! These are the questions that I'm sure are on everyone's minds!

Star Trek or Star Wars? Coke or Pepsi? VHS or Betamax?
Star Wars, Coke and Livestreaming

What hobbies do you have besides tabletop games?
What, there's other hobbies?? I have done a lot of geocaching and I'm still a big movie fan.

What is something you learned in the last week?
I learned that Adam Lambert has a cameo in the Bohemian Rhapsody movie

Favorite type of music? Books? Movies?
I like classic rock, true crime and biographies. There are far too many types of movies out there, I like anything that's well made.

What was the last book you read?
For Love of Board Games by Erin Dean. I recently received my Kickstarter copy.

Do you play any musical instruments?
No.

Tell us something about yourself that you think might surprise people.
In my younger years I did a lot of karaoke. There was one point where I would go to karaoke 3 times a week.

Tell us about something crazy that you once did.
In 2016 I participated in Charity Bike ride. We rode 500 kms in 5 days on bicycles in Thailand. We rode in 50 degree heat, along roads, dirt tracks and up massive hills for up to 8 hours a day and I raised over $5000 for orphans in Thailand.

Biggest accident that turned out awesome?
In 2010 I contracted swine flu. I ended up in hospital in an induced coma on life support for 11 days. It turned out awesome because not only did I survive, I made a full recovery, walked away with a different perspective on life and have a great story to tell.

Who is your idol?
Russell Crowe

What would you do if you had a time machine?
I'd go and see my Mum again at a time before she died.

Are you an extrovert or introvert?
I do consider myself to be an introvert

If you could be any superhero, which one would you be?
Batman- he's rich and has a cool car.

Have any pets?
No.

When the next asteroid hits Earth, causing the Yellowstone caldera to explode, California to fall into the ocean, the sea levels to rise, and the next ice age to set in, what current games or other pastimes do you think (or hope) will survive into the next era of human civilization? What do you hope is underneath that asteroid to be wiped out of the human consciousness forever?
Wow, that's intense. I hope the games and pastimes that survive in the world bring people together as we will need it. I hope the need for people to bring others down is wiped out forever.

If you'd like to send a shout out to anyone, anyone at all, here's your chance (I can't guarantee they'll read this though):
I'd like to send a shout out to my wife Kim, my mate Rowan from Brand New Board Games, Sydney Beer and Boardgames group, my mate Josh at Shenanigames and the awesome community at Tabletop Game Designers Australia (TGDA).

Thanks for answering all my crazy questions!

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Thank you for reading this People Behind the Meeples indie game designer interview! You can find all the interviews here: People Behind the Meeples and if you'd like to be featured yourself, you can fill out the questionnaire here: http://gjjgames.blogspot.com/p/game-designer-interview-questionnaire.html

Did you like this interview?  Pleasse show your support: Support me on Patreon! Or click the heart at Board Game Links , like GJJ Games on Facebook , or follow on Twitter .  And be sure to check out my games on  Tabletop Generation.

Refinanciación de deuda

Refinanciación de endeudamiento. ¿Qué es? Simplificándolo, se trata de convertir deuda a corto plazo en deuda a largo, para reducir las cuotas de amortización. A nosotros llegan a menudo empresa que lo buscan porque en meses "flojos" les cuesta hacer frente a todos sus compromisos de pago. ¿Cuál es el problema? Que los bancos aborrecen todo lo que sea refinanciar porque no quieren asumir riesgo de otras entidades y porque el Banco de España les hace provisionar el 25% del importe. Si quieres saber cómo lo solucionamos nosotros, sigue leyendo... -- Uno de nuestros clientes, una empresa industrial valenciana que tenía tensiones de tesorería puntuales que hacían peligrar su estabilidad, nos pidió que le ayudásemos a refinanciar sus préstamos a corto. Era una refinanciación que ni su banco ni ningún otro le quería dar. ¿Qué hicimos? Montamos la operación como una necesidad puntual (no recurrente) de tesorería que nada tenía que ver con la refinanciación de otros préstamos y centrándonos solo en la operativa de la empresa, sus plazos de pago y de cobro. Así conseguimos dos operaciones que juntas cubrieron los tres préstamos y a más largo plazo. -- Si quieres que te ayudemos con un problema similar... Déjanos tus datos y te llamamos El equipo de Iberfinancia.

Financiación sin Cirbe

Financiación sin bancos ni Cirbe (y sin que te sangren con los intereses) Se llama shadow-banking a todo tipo de entidades financieras que trabajan fuera del circuito bancario. Son totalmente legales, por supuesto, pero no son entidades bancarias, no consumen CIRBE y tienen unos criterios de concesión más accesible. Te pongo un ejemplo, -- Uno de nuestros clientes tiene una empresa de carpintería metálica, se encargan de todo lo que sea metal en obras grandes. Muchos de sus clientes son entidades y empresas públicas o grandes empresas. Tiene grandes encargos pero cobra tarde (por lo general) y tiene que adelantar mucho dinero. ¿Resultado? Unas tensiones de tesorería bastante graves que hacían peligrar una empresa que lleva trabajando casi dos décadas y que además estaba creciendo a buen ritmo. Nuestra solución: actualizar su estructura financiera. Firmaron 3 líneas con 3 de nuestros colaboradores: - Un leaseback sobre una máquina que les dio liquidez, - una línea de adelanto de contratos y facturas que les permitió aceptar encargos que estaban a punto de rechazar - y un ICO inversión para comprar una máquina nueva con la que optimizaron su proceso de producción, reduciendo sus costes. -- Muchas veces la solución a un problema no viene con una sola operación, sino con varias trabajando al unísono. La clave es encontrar a quien comprenda tu problema y confíe en tu empresa y en tu proyecto. En eso somos especialistas. Si tú también necesitas financiación para tu empresa ponte en contacto en el enlace de abajo. Te haremos un estudio de viabilidad por escrito y sin compromiso: Haz clic aquí El equipo de Iberfinancia.

Subvención para desarrollo de tecnología

Fondos subvencionados para desarrollo de tecnología Ya se ha abierto la convocatoria para la línea Neotec de 2019. Desde el pasado viernes 17 ya se pueden presentar solicitudes y el plazo se cerrará el 1 de julio, así que estamos asegurándonos de contactar con todas las empresas que puedan estar interesadas en gestionarlo. Para refrescar la memoria: Neotec es una línea para proyectos desarrollados a partir de actividad investigadora y que se basen en el desarrollo de tecnología. Sus condiciones son muy interesantes: - Presupuesto mínimo de 175.000 euros. - Proyectos de 1 o 2 años de duración. - Fondos subvencionados, con pago anticipado de hasta el 60%. - Sin garantías. Si eres una empresa innovadora y tienes un proyecto para el que necesitas fondos... Déjanos tus datos y te llamamos El equipo de Iberfinancia.